The plan to build a rapid transit line from Burnaby to Coquitlam just got a $350-million leg-up from the federal government.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper made the announcement in Burnaby yesterday, adding that construction of the long-awaited Evergreen Line will create 8,000 jobs here.

"In the short term, we are creating thousands of jobs,” Harper said. “At the same time, we are … ensuring that local families and businesses have access to an expanded, efficient and environmentally sustainable transit system.”

Premier Gordon Campbell, who joined Harper for the announcement, said the line will also create new economic opportunities and provide a better quality of life in the region.

The federal government has already provided $66.7 million for the project, which is expected to cost $1.4 billion.

Funding has also come from the province, which contributed $410 million, and TransLink, which committed $400 million

The remaining $173 million will be funded by project partners.

Once completed, the 11-kilometre rapid transit line will run from the Lougheed Town Centre in Burnaby to the Coquitlam Town Centre through Port Moody.